Personal finance

Astra Taylor Source: Isabella De Maddalena Astra Taylor took out her first student loan at 17. She attended Brown University and The New School, and owed tens of thousands of dollars when she defaulted on her debt during the 2008 financial crisis. “Overnight, they added 19% to my principal,” Taylor, 42, said. “Like millions of

In this article PTON Most people love the convenience of buy now, pay later. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, installment payments have exploded in popularity along with a general surge in online shopping. Initially, spreading out the cost of a big-ticket purchase — like a Peloton, for example — just made financial sense, especially at

Chris Ryan | Getty Images I bonds have surged in popularity as riskier assets slip. The bonds are backed by the federal government, the principal doesn’t lose value and the bonds earn monthly interest through two parts, a fixed rate and a variable rate. Currently, the variable component will pay a record 9.62% annual rate

Gorodenkoff | Istock | Getty Images If you’re happily saying “I do” this year, be aware that the IRS can be a real buzzkill. While many couples end up paying less in taxes after tying the knot, some face a “marriage penalty” — meaning they end up paying more than if they had remained unmarried

Inflation dropped slightly in April, yet it’s still close to a 40-year high, with consumer prices rising at an annual rate of 8.3%. Rising costs for housing, food, airfares and new cars were the biggest contributors to that key gauge of inflation. The typical American family is spending about $450 more per month for goods

A shopper at a San Francisco grocery store on May 2, 2022. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Inflation is a growing concern as Americans spend hundreds more every month. But some retirees may avoid the sting of price hikes for gasoline, groceries and other costs.   Annual inflation rose by 8.3% in April,

alfexe | iStock | Getty Images Filers won’t be affected by the IRS decision to destroy data for millions of taxpayers, the agency said in a statement Thursday. The IRS tossed an estimated 30 million so-called paper-filed information returns in March 2021, according to an audit by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. The

courtneyk | E+ | Getty Images An audit by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration revealed the IRS has tossed data for millions of payers, sparking anger from the tax community. The material, known as paper-filed information returns in accounting parlance, is sent yearly by employers and financial institutions, and covers taxable activity, such

Win McNamee | Getty Images As spring warmth takes hold, homeowners may want to make sure they’re prepared for the severe weather that will likely soon follow. That preparation should include checking your insurance coverage. Whether you live in an area prone to hurricanes, tornados, flooding, hail, wildfires or severe storms — all of which

Foto Sipsak | Getty Images For decades, a college education was the “golden ticket” to the American Dream, translating into higher lifetime earnings and better job security. To that point, the median college graduate makes a total of $2.8 million throughout their career, compared to $1.6 million (a 70% difference) earned by their high school

If inflation continues, more than 50% of adults say they’ll cut back spending on dining out and will consider reducing that further, according to the CNBC + Acorns Invest in You survey, conducted by Momentive. Kali9 | E+ | Getty Images Inflation is still on the rise, prompting consumers to change their shopping habits to

Getty Images Despite fears of outliving savings, most Americans still want to live longer, a study on longevity and retirement shows. Nearly 70% of Americans want to live to age 100, with 29 years as the “ideal length” for retirement, according to an Edward Jones and Age Wave report that polled 11,000 adults in the

Joe Raedle | Getty Images News | Getty Images Social Security beneficiaries could see another record cost-of-living adjustment in 2023, based on the latest government data showing persistent high inflation. But that increase may not be enough to pare the loss in buying power recipients have experienced over the years, according to a new analysis

Sarote Pruksachat | Moment | Getty Images The stock market has been off to a rough start this year. The S&P 500 Index is currently down more than 16% year to date through Monday’s close. That’s sparked worry for some investors. Some 43% said they’re too nervous to invest in the market right now, according

Hero Images | Getty Images Deciding when to claim Social Security retirement benefits is a complicated decision. But when two people are in the mix — particularly a couple where one spouse is the primary breadwinner — the decision may be even more complex. New research from Lafayette College takes a look at how Social

Athima Tongloom | Moment | Getty Images The share of job ads that require candidates to have a Covid-19 vaccine seems to be on the decline. About 6.7% of U.S. job listings cited vaccination as a necessity for applicants as of April 29, according to a new analysis by AnnElizabeth Konkel, an economist at Indeed,

PM Images | Getty Images Amid rising prices and a changing economy, many Americans question their ability to meet long-term financial goals, according to Country Financial’s Security Index. The survey polled 1,023 U.S. adults from March 18 to March 20, and more than half believe swelling costs may have a “big negative impact” on plans

Sam Edwards | Getty Images Those annoying required minimum withdrawals from retirement accounts that kick in at age 72 may come with a silver lining: helping you make your money last through your lifetime. Generally speaking, if you were to take only your yearly RMDs it would mean those accounts wouldn’t be depleted in your

fizkes | iStock | Getty Images For anyone getting started with adulthood, the financial stuff can be among the trickiest aspects to navigate. That can be the case even for those who go on to be financial advisors. For these professionals, some advice they regularly give clients now — after years of extra education and

Nirat | Istock | Getty Images It’s no secret the Covid-19 pandemic has been tough on millions of moms. Trying to juggle work amid ongoing child care uncertainties has left many mothers frustrated into the third year of the pandemic. While tough choices between work and parenting were a shock for middle- and upper-income women,